A Head Start on Your Career, While You Are Still at School
The Educational Pathways Program (EPP) is a school-based program that helps high-school students get a head start on their career while they finish school. Novaskill, a not-for-profit Registered Training Organisation (RTO) established in 1980, delivers the EPP in partnership with the Department of Education across the Hunter, Newcastle and surrounding NSW regions.
The EPP is designed to improve higher education and career outcomes for young people. If you are a high-school student who wants real-world experience and a recognised qualification before you leave school, this is your pathway.
What Does the Educational Pathways Program Centre On?
The EPP centres on three things: getting students into paid school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, opening up fee-free vocational training, and strengthening careers advice for young people.
Educational Pathways Program Key Facts
- Provider: Novaskill, a not-for-profit RTO established in 1980, in partnership with the Department of Education.
- Who it is for: High-school students who want to start a career pathway while still at school.
- Format: Two in-school streams: business and construction.
- Cost: Fee-free for eligible students through Smart and Skilled.
- Regions: Hunter, Newcastle and surrounding NSW.
- Places: Contact our team to confirm current intakes and availability.
Choose Your EPP Stream
The Educational Pathways Program runs as two in-school streams. Pick the pathway that matches the career you want to pursue. Contact our team to confirm current intakes, eligibility and availability.
In-School Business Traineeship
In-School Apprenticeships
Business Stream or Construction Stream: Which EPP Pathway Suits You?
Both EPP streams introduce school-based vocational pathways with training and careers support. Eligibility, funding and availability depend on the current intake. The difference is the industry you focus on, as shown below.
| Feature | In-school Business Traineeship | In-school Apprenticeships (Construction) |
|---|---|---|
| Career focus | Business and business administration | Construction, in particular carpentry |
| Pathway type | School-based traineeship | School-based apprenticeship |
| ATAR | Continue your HSC while you train | Get your ATAR while you train |
| Best if you want | An office, admin or business career | A hands-on trade career on site |
Read more about the EPP in-school business traineeship or the EPP in-school construction apprenticeship, and learn what you need to know about apprenticeships and traineeships.
Educational Pathways Program: Frequently Asked Questions
The Educational Pathways Program (EPP) is a school-based program that helps high-school students start a career pathway while still at school. Novaskill delivers it with the Department of Education to improve higher education and career outcomes for young people.
The EPP is for high-school students who want a head start on a business or construction career. Contact our team to confirm current intakes, eligibility and the application process.
The EPP is fee-free for eligible students through Smart and Skilled vocational training.
An apprenticeship trains you in a skilled trade, such as carpentry, and usually takes longer. A traineeship trains you in a vocational area, such as business administration, and is often shorter. Both let you earn while you learn under a formal training contract.